The IDA Documentary Journalism Project with Major Support from the MacArthur Foundation

"The MacArthur Foundation supports independent inquiry and storytelling that helps to inform, engage and inspire the American public to think critically and deeply about the challenges we face as a nation," said Kathy Im, Director of the Journalism and Media program at MacArthur. "Support for this new fund at IDA is an expression of the Foundation’s enduring commitment to independent media, and part of a broader set of investments aimed at building strong institutions in the fields of nonprofit journalism, nonfiction storytelling, and participatory civic media."

"Independent documentary makers play an essential role in contemporary journalism - uncovering, investigating and investing the time to follow a story. But too often they work with few resources and little support," said Simon Kilmurry, executive director of the International Documentary Association, "With the support of the MacArthur Foundation, the IDA Documentary/Journalism Project will provide critical support to projects and a wealth of resources to the broader documentary field."

The Project will engage an advisory committee made up of filmmakers and journalists to provide 10 production grants of between $75,000 - $100,000 to films in production. Additionally, the Project will provide 10-15 development grants in a range of $10,000 - $15,000 each to films in early stages. Submission information, funding criteria and more details are set to be announced in January 2017.